Entrepreneur Hub

7 years

great question! thanks for sharing it.

Lisa, I fully agree with your perspective and appreciate you raising this important issue. As one of the “old-timers” in patient advocacy for over 12 years, I continue to work on a limited, highly selective basis, guided by an approach that prioritizes time, trust, and personal connection.

My core philosophy remains unchanged: to be a true champion for patients and their families as they navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system. Many who need advocacy simply cannot access it due to cost. For me, the greatest reward has always been human, not financial, and I do everything I can to work with Medicare clients and expand access for those who might otherwise go without support.

I also believe our services should not be excessive. I can not relate to fees of even 200.00 or more. At the same time, I respect advocates for whom this is their primary profession—they must charge fair, realistic, and justifiable rates.

I am encouraged that Umbra is helping create pathways for Medicare reimbursement. While modest, it represents an important step forward—one we should all support.

I agree Lisa, it's getting uglier indeed.

I had to Etch-a-Sketch my business model almost immediatly when I opened my independent advocacy practice. My LLC was formed in February 2020 and the world closed down in March due to Covid. But the changes I made allowed me to serve clients all over the USA remotely. Over the years my business has evolved. The unforseen changes I had to implement early, have benefited throughout the years. Being able to adapt to client's needs is something I continue with to this day.

Hi Lisa! Such a great post — thank you for sparking this conversation. When I built the documents and workflow for my practice, I found myself asking the same questions: Who is my patient population? What can I help with? Who are my partners?

The more I explored advocacy, the more I realized how broad our work truly is. We can support almost anyone, in so many different situations, and I worried that defining my services too narrowly might limit how clients see their own needs.

That’s why I offer a short, free consultation. It gives me space to ask questions clients may not think to ask, listen to their concerns, and highlight support they may not realize an advocate can provide. That brief conversation often brings clarity for both of us.

Hey everyone! My name is Marlee Nelson LM, CPM, MS. I am a midwife advocate. Please consider adding me to your referral list for clients needing support in the perinatal care, fertility, and gynecology spaces.

I currently work with Lauren Wheeler, MD as a subcontractor. Her business is Lost Coast Advocacy, LLC. We are in a rural area (Humboldt County, CA) so also bring that side of things to the table.

I love healthcare but after getting burnt out and watching the treatment many of my patients received from OB/GYNs and other healthcare providers I knew it was time to transition to something else — patient advocacy! I'm happy to be here. Thanks for reading!

Hi everyone, I’m Mary-Anne Schelb, founder of Intentional Calm. I offer life coaching grounded in the Intentional Calm Method, helping individuals and loved ones reduce stress, calm overwhelm, build resilience, and create more balance during challenging seasons of life. I’m grateful to be here and look forward to connecting with others who are passionate about supporting people with compassion, clarity, and care.

www.intentionalcalm.com/

Hi,

I'm Marilyn Kier, a BCPA located in Wheeling, IL. I'm new here and have just submitted my profile.

My business is Holistic Patient Advocates, LLC. I'm eager to connect with other advocates and look forward to working together to strengthen public awareness about the benefits of independent patient advocacy.

The first thing you would need to be able to answer is why that would benefit the law firm? If you can see a clear path how your service helps them — then you have a potential opportunity.

If you have a know someone who works at a law firm you want to approach, take them to coffee or lunch and ask what the firm needs most? Listen to what pain points they have that you can help fix and begin there.

Having worked in law firms, I tried to imagine what would happen if someone come into the office seeking referrals. The only thing I could envision is if you have a professional brochure of your services (you know the kind you can put in a little display) that you may be able to set that in a waiting room area where one of their clients may pick it up and reach out to you. But only after you have shown the firm — it will help the firm.

Many lawyers are hesitant to make referrals...period. (But they love receiving them.)

Not meaning to sound negative, but until you can show them how you can help them, there is little reason to have a relationship.

A good relationship will lead to good referrals. Best wishes.

Andrew, this is a GREAT question! I'm hoping our members will jump in and share some insights.

Thanks for generously sharing a free article. Although I do not plan to sit for the exam, I appreciate all your hard work. Best wishes.

Thanks for sharing!
I do this part time, about 10 hours a week for context. My business is 3.5 years old. My clients mainly find me through GNA and word of mouth/referrals.

I offer a free inital consultation to make sure it's a good fit for everyone. There have been a few times where the free consut doesn't lead anywhere for me, and that's okay.

I do know some folks have built referral channels through building relationships with proivders direclty, or through marketing to care facilities.

THANK YOU @sylvia reisman, for such a GREAT dynamic question.

As we move from 'pre-launch' to really driving traffic to the site, I so hope you get a TON of response. I'm certainly eager to see it.

I’m a sole proprietor and chose that because LLC is a tax basis and not an adequate liability shield. Just testing here!

First, thanks for helping to test PA360 for us!

I opened an LLC. Although I am not actively building out my client list, as most of my time is spent working for GNA, but I often have kept a small client list.

The best resources along the way have been fellow advocates, who generously have shared their «what worked for me, what didn't»s, encouraged me to keep going and not be intimidated by the business aspect of ..well, running a business, and who willingly have shared their professional expertise when a case felt too big, or perhaps had an aspect I wasn't as comfortable with as the rest of the case. It gave me lived experiences that showed me just how invaluable having a community of advocate colleagues can be.

Leah,
Thank you so much for sharing this incredibly compelling story. I'm so very sorry for that patient; I can imagine that terror she was feeling, and am heartbroken for her.
Thank you so much for the work that you do in the county hospital.

Thinking of you, and that patient, today,
AnnMarie